Green Facts

Not so funny friday fact: Livestock contributes more global greenhouse gas emissions than transportation

Richtersveld

While many people already know about the Richtersveld National Park, more and more people are catching on about its equally large southern neighbour, the Richtersveld Community Conservancy

10 years ago, the historically disadvantaged people of the Richtersveld united, reclaimed title to their traditional land, and set aside this conservancy to be forever conserved for research and tourism. It offers some of southern Africa’s finest hiking, 4x4 driving, camping and cultural experiences.

The Richtersveld Community Conservancy is also the last refuge of Nama people living what is known as the transhumance lifestyle - to migrate seasonally with their livestock from mountains to the river and so make sustainable use of the fragile succulent ecosystem.

In recognition of this vanishing lifestyle, and of the rare botanical diversity it helps protect, the Conservancy has been declared the core of a new World Heritage Site.

What better way to explore and uncover the secrets of a remote area than being guided by the local people? Situated in the mountains south of the giant bend of the Lower Orange River, the Heritage Site is owned and managed by the local people. Home to semi-nomadic sheep and goat herders, this remote and dramatic desert landscape has over the years welcomed only the bravest explorers and the most curious researchers.